DOUBLE Olympic gold medallist Lord Sebastian Coe believes Coventry and Warwickshire can play a key role in making the London Games a huge success.

Lord Coe, who chairs the organising committee for the London Olympics in 2012, was delighted by Coventry’s enthusiasm for the 2012 Olympics yesterday.

He visited the city to officially open the £9 million Xcel Leisure Centre in Mitchell Avenue, Canley, together with the city’s own Olympic runner David Moorcroft.

“Coming here to sell the Olympic Games is like preaching to the converted,” said Lord Coe.

“The whole region has such a proud sporting history and understands what it means to have the biggest sporting event in the world in our back yard.”

A dozen venues in Coventry and Warwickshire have been short-listed as possible training camps for Olympics, including Coventry Sports Centre in Fairfax Street, the Ricoh Arena and the city’s two universities.

He believes the area’s enviable sporting venues, combined with its location, sporting record and huge enthusiasm for the Olympics will help to propel it to the top of the list when attracting international teams and sports funding for the Games.

“The region with its world- class facilities has a great opportunity to attract teams during the Olympics,” he said.

“It’s not just about attracting a little bit of transient trade, it’s about giving local youngsters the chance to see how world-class competitors train to inspire and guide them.”

Lord Coe was also wowed by his first glance around the Xcel centre, which replaces the Midland Sports Centre in Tile Hill and boasts a 25-metre pool, all-weather sports pitches, fitness and health suites and conference rooms.

It’s top-class facilities will also be used by neighbouring Westwood School, an arrangement which the former athlete would like to see used as a template for other sports clubs around the country

Paul Breed, chief executive of Coventry Sports Foundation, which manages the Xcel Leisure Centre, said the opening ceremony was the culmination of 12 years hard work by a vast number of people.

“To have the chairman of the London Organising Committee, Lord Coe, to perform the opening is a real honour and fitting tribute to everyone concerned,” he said.